SLADE, Ky. (AP) -- State officials plan to reopen the Red River Gorge area on Friday after a hiker was mauled by a black bear at the scenic park earlier this week.
Daniel Boone National Forest supervisor Frank Beum says the area in eastern Kentucky will be open to the public starting at 8 a.m.
Officials closed the gorge area after the bear attacked hiker Tim Scott of Springfield on a popular trail Sunday.
Officials say a black bear spotted near a trash bin in Lee County on Thursday was likely the one involved in the attack. State Fish and Wildlife officials said in a statement that the sighting was about 17 miles away from the attack site, meaning the bear has moved out of the Gorge area.
The adjacent Natural Bridge State Resort Park will also reopen its trails on Friday morning.
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